HGK Podcast Episode with Sylvia Tara, PhD, Author of The Secret Life of Fat

A few weeks ago, when I interviewed Debby Kastner, The Healthy Librarian, she mentioned a few books and asked if I had read them. As with anything that Debby recommends, I take notice. I immediately purchased three of the four books she mentioned. When my box of new books arrived from Amazon, there was one that I immediately gravitated toward, and it was the book authored by my next podcast guest, biochemist and author, Dr. Sylvia Tara. Ms. Tara is the author of a new book called The Secret Life of Fat, The Science Behind the Body’s Least Understood Organ and What it Means For You.

When I received Ms. Tara’s book I devoured it. I knew I had to interview this author and share her work with you. I had so much fun talking to Ms. Tara, it was everything I had hope it would be. Plus, I discovered that she and I are on the same page about a lot of our own personal discoveries along our weight loss journeys!

Sylvia Tara holds a PhD in biochemistry from the University of California at San Diego and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She was a consultant with McKinsey & Company and has worked at the world’s largest biotechnology companies. Tara lives in the Los Angeles area.

Her new book, The Secret Life of Fat, is a groundbreaking work of practical, popular science reveals that fat is much smarter than we think.

Fat is an obsession, a dirty word, a subject of national handwringing—and, according to biochemist Sylvia Tara, the least-understood part of our body.

You may not love your fat, but your body certainly does. In fact, your body is actually endowed with many self-defense measures to hold on to fat. For example, fat can use stem cells to regenerate; increase our appetite if it feels threatened; and use bacteria, genetics, and viruses to expand itself.

The secret to losing twenty pounds? You have to work with your fat, not against it. Tara explains how your fat influences your appetite and willpower, how it defends itself when attacked, and why it grows back so quickly. The Secret Life of Fat brings cutting-edge research together with historical perspectives to reveal fat’s true identity: an endocrine organ that, in the right amount, is critical to our health. Fat triggers puberty, enables our reproductive and immune systems, and even affects brain size.

Although we spend $60 billion annually fighting fat, our efforts are often misinformed and misdirected. Tara expertly illustrates the complex role that genetics, hormones, diet, exercise, and history play in our weight, and The Secret Life of Fat sets you on the path to beat the bulge once and for all.

You can purchase your copy of The Secret Life of Fat here and help to support Healthy Girl’s Kitchen at no additional cost to you by using my affiliate link:

Comments

Wendy, I want to congratulate and thank you for a phenomenal interview with Sylvia Tara. I truly think it was your best interview to date! You covered so many salient issues for me. Your interview also took so many of the negative feelings that I had after reading the book and completely turned them around.

Before you spoke with her, I was was very dejected about many of her conclusions, but I see now that that was not her intent at all. I am now better armed in my battle and psychologically stronger in facing what I have always had so much hate and disrespect for(my fat).

Thank you so much for this excellent journalism!

(P.S. Was I the reader you were referring to towards the end of the interview? I was so excited by my possible millisecond brush with anonymous fame!)

HI Wendy,
I listened to your interview last night and promptly ordered the book (thanks for the link). I owe you a huge debt of gratitude, first for introducing me to BLE and now this. The interview was fascinating and dispelled many things I thought I knew. I can’t wait to get the book and, hopefully, you will review it in your book club. Your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed.

WOW!
Thank you Sylvia, thank you Wendy! I learned so much and went right to Amazon to buy the book. This interview was so important for anyone wanting to get a handle on their weight. So many ideas are swirling around my mind I lok forward to getting the book and focusing on my own experiment.
With gratitude and big, big hugs,
Judy

Fantastic interview Wendy. I so agree in finding out what actually works for you as an individual, and I was interested in her comments on I.F. as I’ve been finding that helpful as well. Thanks for such great info, and will definitely be reading her book.

I absolutely loved this conversation….I listened twice. Its really, really informative & Wendy I love the people your choosing to interview!!!! You have become one of my favorite podcasters. Thank you for all you do!!!

A phenomenal interview and very helpful in understanding some of the challenges for anyone on a weight loss journey. Very much appreciate the time and effort put forth in this interview, so kudos to you, Wendy, and to Sylvia Tara.

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I am not a doctor or nutritionist. All information on Healthy Girl's Kitchen is meant for educational and informational purposes only. Products and/or information are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease. Readers are advised to do their own research and make decisions in partnership with their health care provider.